DHARAMSHALA: The Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile today condoled and expressed solidarity with Sangye Khar, 34, Tsephe Kyi, 19, and Ven Kelsang Yeshi, 32, who set themselves on fire in protest against the unjust policies of the Chinese government on 16, 22 and 23 December respectively. It further urged China to investigate the real causes of the self-immolation protests and address the grievances of the Tibetan people.

“The Chinese government constantly criticises and intimidates the friends and families of the Tibetan self-immolators. They accuse the self-immolators of being of unsound mind, who commits self-immolation under instigation from others. They also explains that the self-immolations were a result of domestic problems. These allegations are totally outrageous and undermines the conviction of the Tibetan people and the brutality of their sufferings,” the Tibetan Parliament said in a statement.

“ Instead of addressing the grievances of the Tibetan people, the Chinese government resorts to intimidation to clampdown on the Tibetan people’s basic human rights.  They threaten the families of the self-immolators, depriving them of basic necessities and accuse them of murder,” it said.

The Tibetan Parliament appealed to the international community to urge the Chinese government to end its repressive policies in Tibet. It also called on countries and parliaments across the world to pass resolutions denouncing the repressive policies of the Chinese authorities.

Since 2009 at least 135 Tibetans have set themselvs on fire in protest against the Chinese government inside Tibet.  Out of the 135, 116 have died while the status of the rest remains unknown.